Fisheries and Oceans Minister Visits Lunenburg Boatbuilder

LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwire - Aug. 18, 2011) -

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, visited ABCO Industries Limited boatyard in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia today to meet the team who will soon begin work on a new vessel for Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

As part of the government's commitment to upgrading and replenishing the Canadian Coast Guard fleet, ABCO will build a 14-metre Inshore Patrol Vessel for Canadian Coast Guard. The vessel will feature jet propulsion and will be primarily used for fisheries enforcement duties.

"Our government is committed to ensuring that the Canadian Coast Guard has the tools and training they need to do their jobs," said Minister Ashfield. "I am so pleased to meet the team and see the facility where this new vessel will be built."

This will be the fifth vessel ABCO has built for Fisheries and Oceans. The first four, CCGS Geliget, CCGS Pointe Caveau, CCGS Kelso and CCGS Viola M. Davidson, are all in service with the Canadian Coast Guard. The new vessel, which has not yet been named, is expected to be delivered in mid-2012 and will be based in Prince Edward Island.

For broadcast

LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA – The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, visited ABCO Industries Limited boatyard in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia today to meet the team who will soon begin work on a new 14-metre Inshore Patrol Vessel for Canadian Coast Guard. The vessel will be used for fisheries enforcement duties.